Friedrich Merz suffers shock defeat in German parliament vote to be named chancellor — by six votes

Friedrich Merz did not receive enough votes to become chancellor - (AP)

Germany’s Friedrich Merz failed to secure enough parliamentary votes to become chancellor – failing by just six votes in a humiliating setback on his path to power.

The ballot was the first time in Germany’s postwar history that a candidate has lost in the first round, derailing what had expected to be a smooth process for the 69-year-old to become Germany's 10th chancellor just two and a half months after winning nationwide elections.